By Daniel Crawford, Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Axial3D
Ten years. It’s remarkable to think about everything that’s happened.
When we started Axial3D back in 2015, the idea was simple but ambitious: make it easier for surgeons to actually see what they were about to operate on. Not just flat 2D slices, or relying on mental reconstructions, but a clear, accurate 3D model they could hold, explore, and truly trust. The challenge wasn’t creating one 3D model or patient specific model—it was finding a way to do it consistently, quickly, and at scale, something existing solutions simply couldn’t deliver.
Back then, creating 3D anatomical models from patient scans was a slow, expensive process — reserved for only the most complex cases. We believed it didn’t have to be that way. We believed patient-specific care—real personalization—shouldn’t be the exception. It should be routine.
Looking back now, I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. What began as a small, passionate team in Belfast has grown into a global company supporting some of the world’s leading medical device manufacturers, imaging providers, and hospitals. We’ve processed millions of datasets across orthopedics, cardiovascular, oncology, and neurosurgery. We’ve built an AI platform that can turn 2D images into a fully segmented patient specific digital model in minutes —data that can be integrated into surgical planning, device and implant design, robotics and navigation, and much more.. And time and again, we’ve proven that personalization can scale.
This journey has been shaped by so many remarkable people—surgeons who took a chance on us early, engineers who pushed the limits of what our technology could do, and partners who helped us grow responsibly and rapidly. We’ve earned regulatory clearances, secured patents, and watched our models guide everything from implant design to complex tumor resections. But for me, the most meaningful moments are still when a surgeon says, “This wasn’t just a model—it was a game-changer in how I approached the surgery.”
What I love most is the clear, daily impact our technology has on patient care. Our solutions transform how surgeries are planned and devices developed—bringing precision and personalization right into the heart of clinical decision-making. Every surgery, every device, every patient benefits from a clearer, deeper understanding of their unique anatomy. And honestly, that’s what Axial3D is all about. It’s what we remind ourselves of week after week, month after month, year after year: how our work ultimately impacts patients’ lives.
I’m often asked what keeps me motivated after a decade in this space. For me, it’s always been—and still is—about the patient. Behind every scan, every 3D model, every surgical plan, there’s a person whose life depends on getting this right. Knowing that our work helps surgeons make better decisions, reduce risks, and improve outcomes—that’s what drives me every single day. The patient is everything Axial3D centers on. It’s the reason we get out of bed every morning—to create products that truly impact lives.
Ten years in, I still get excited every time I see a model come to life and watch the software our team has built turn possibilities into reality. But what excites me most is what comes next. With the strategic partnerships we’ve built, we’re now in a position to scale and execute—helping impact and make a difference in the lives of millions of patients worldwide. And the truth is, we’ve only just begun to uncover what’s possible.
To everyone who’s been part of this journey—thank you. Here’s to Axial3D continuing to pave the way in making personalized care routine.
